Daryl Tuffey gets nod ahead of Tim Southee

Tim Southee, the New Zealand fast bowler, has been drafted into the squad as cover for the injured Shane Bond for the second Test against Pakistan. Bond suffered minor abdominal discomfort following the 32-run victory in Dunedin and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining two matches.

However, captain Daniel Vettori said that Daryl Tuffey , who was part of the squad for the first Test, would most likely be starting in place of Bond for the match tomorrow in Wellington. Southee, on the other hand, would be backup, in case any injuries were sustained during the period before that match.

Southee's inclusion comes after a strong outing for Northern Districts against Wellington in Hamilton during the Plunket Shield last week. Southee wrecked Wellington's first innings, finishing with extraordinary figures of 25-12-27-8, but it was a terrific effort in vain as the home side lost by 38 runs.

The 20-year-old did well in the limited-overs series against Pakistan in the UAE. He last played a Test against India in April.

Tuffey, whose last Test was against England in 2004, hoped to make the most of the opportunity. "Obviously it's disappointing for Shane with that injury," he told the Dominion Post. "But it always works in roundabouts like that and I've been on the receiving end of injuries and giving other guys chances. He's a good mate of mine and I'm really disappointed for him.

"If my name is read out, which is obviously looking more and more likely with Shane being out, I'm just looking forward to the opportunity."

Tuffey, like Bond a former ICL player who will have a chance to revive to his Test career, has taken 24 of his 66 Test wickets against Pakistan. He didn't play the Sri Lanka Tests and suffered a hand injury which forced him to return home from South Africa during the Champions Trophy. "I never thought I would have been playing Test cricket again," he said. "But it's funny how things have panned out."

"The good thing about Daryl is every Test team that's been named, he's been disappointed not to be in it," said Daniel Vettori. "He's been close and he's been bowling well."

The fast bowler Iain O'Brien, who dislocated the middle finger of his bowling hand during a career-saving spell on day five in Dunedin, did not think the injury would prevent him from playing tomorrow. "I bowled a couple to feel the finger and see how it came out," he said. "It's just sore, there's no fractures, no nothing really, just a bit of bruising. I've just got to hope I don't get a bang on it when I'm bowling."

Having endured an ordinary Test and playing almost for his place, O'Brien had a crucial part in the turnaround on day five of the Dunedin Test. He followed up Umar Akmal's wicket with those of Kamran Akmal, with a sharp in-ducker, and Umar Gul. He will protect his injured finger with a splint when fielding but will not, per cricket's rules, be allowed to wear it while bowling.

"I've got some toys to cover it with," said O'Brien. "With the cricket laws it'll be nude when I'm bowling then hopefully I can cover it up and keep some impact off it when I'm fielding. It'll be okay, I guess I have to try and hide it as much as I can when I'm fielding."